How do I go about improving soil in my garden?

Currently it is a large flower bed with 2 inch mulch of cedar chips. How and with what should I amend the soil? Do I need to remove the bark chips first or can I just mix everything into my soil? How deep should I dig it in? Will all this digging around the roots hurt my plants? Have good intentions but don't want to mess this up!

Thanks so much for any and all advise!

Josie

Payson Arizona. Topsoil has been amended years ago and I think it drains too fast. The subsoil, about 20 inches down is clay.

I agree with Dorlis. Have your soil tested first--you have a sizable garden, so you don't want to add the wrong thing! If you don't have access to the county extension agent, a lot of better garden centers will do soil testing.

We "steal" our neighbors grass clippings and leaves. Work them into your soil throughout the year and can use them for mulch around plants to keep the soil moist. Find someone who has cows to get manure - let dry - work some of that into the soil, also. Sprinkle a bag of Gypsum to help break up hard soil.

Remove existing plants carefully leaving root clusters & soil together. Don't shake them off. Set them aside. Rake the mulch off of the entire bed. Create a border using a chalk outline. Till the soil. Using a tiller will provide you with the right depth you need. Rock the tiller back & forth until the blades are totally immersed in the soil will be the right depth. After tilling, spread about an inch of Peat Moss on top. Get some Triple 8 Fertilizer (we got ours at Walmart) & put a very light dusting on top like you would throwing chicken feed out to about 20-30 chickens. Till the area again to mix thoroughly. Border it with bricks, stones, concrete border blocks, etc. Plant your plants allowing space in between for growth. Add back in your mulch if desired. Water it generously but don't saturate it. The mulch & peat moss will absorb water so you won't havta worry about watering too often. The peat moss will also aerate the soil so your roots can spread more easily. That's it lol. You're finished. GOOD LUCK & GOD BLESS!! Hope this helps. :)

Hi, there is also an additive called Mushroom soil. It comes from mushroom farms. Most nurseries have it. Work it into your garden dirt. You may need to do this more then once. Adding it in the spring while preparing to plant.